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A review by tesslw
Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Having read Shuggie Bain whilst on a trip to Edinburgh last spring, and having actually picked up Young Mungo whilst I was there shortly after it was released, I felt it was finally time for me to delve back into Douglas Stuart’s Glaswegian landscape. Whilst this has many themes reminiscent of Shuggie Bain (class divides, deeply rooted sectarianism between Catholics and Protestants, forbidden queer desire and the demands of masculinity, just to name a few), for me, I think this takes top spot.
During his formative years amongst the Glasgow tenements, Mungo’s family are impoverished but proud protestants - his mother (an alcoholic in denial who is frequently absent) and his siblings; Hamish, leader of a violent gang who brutalise local Catholics, and Jodie, his academically gifted sister and emotional mentor. Mungo meets James, a young boy from the Catholic school and despite expectations to be sworn rivals, after bonding over James’ dovecote the two develop a deep friendship, which soon blossoms into more. Though the depths of their desires must remain their best kept secret, the two share a love with each other that brings hope to the bleakness of everyday life. The novel uses two timelines; one framing James and Mungo’s relationship and time spent together, and the other jumping forward to a fishing trip arranged by Mungo’s mother with two of the men in her AA meetings to ‘make a man of Mungo’.
Stuart writes the harsh and grim realities of Mungo’s life in a way that is so rich and emotive despite the barren setting, it’s impossible not to invest in the characters and root for them. I also really appreciated the attention and depth that was given to side characters in this too - St Christopher, Poor Wee Chickie, and all the others who figure throughout are given the nuance and detail required to weave a rich and intricate literary tapestry.
Whilst Glasgow has changed and grown drastically since the post-industrial climate and early 90s when this book is set, the historical furrows of poverty and religious divide still colour the city’s culture - and the history is rich with working class battles still being fought today.
It is important to mention that, as with Shuggie Bain (but possibly even more concentrated here), this book is not easy going. Check the trigger warnings and if you’re feeling delicate, especially given the degree of political unrest surrounding the LGBT community at present, I might suggest this may not be the right book for you at this moment. However I was thankful that this novel did not end with a sweeping, sinking sense of morose resignation, but instead a glimmer of salvation - and the hope for a stronger future together.
During his formative years amongst the Glasgow tenements, Mungo’s family are impoverished but proud protestants - his mother (an alcoholic in denial who is frequently absent) and his siblings; Hamish, leader of a violent gang who brutalise local Catholics, and Jodie, his academically gifted sister and emotional mentor. Mungo meets James, a young boy from the Catholic school and despite expectations to be sworn rivals, after bonding over James’ dovecote the two develop a deep friendship, which soon blossoms into more. Though the depths of their desires must remain their best kept secret, the two share a love with each other that brings hope to the bleakness of everyday life. The novel uses two timelines; one framing James and Mungo’s relationship and time spent together, and the other jumping forward to a fishing trip arranged by Mungo’s mother with two of the men in her AA meetings to ‘make a man of Mungo’.
Stuart writes the harsh and grim realities of Mungo’s life in a way that is so rich and emotive despite the barren setting, it’s impossible not to invest in the characters and root for them. I also really appreciated the attention and depth that was given to side characters in this too - St Christopher, Poor Wee Chickie, and all the others who figure throughout are given the nuance and detail required to weave a rich and intricate literary tapestry.
Whilst Glasgow has changed and grown drastically since the post-industrial climate and early 90s when this book is set, the historical furrows of poverty and religious divide still colour the city’s culture - and the history is rich with working class battles still being fought today.
It is important to mention that, as with Shuggie Bain (but possibly even more concentrated here), this book is not easy going. Check the trigger warnings and if you’re feeling delicate, especially given the degree of political unrest surrounding the LGBT community at present, I might suggest this may not be the right book for you at this moment. However I was thankful that this novel did not end with a sweeping, sinking sense of morose resignation, but instead a glimmer of salvation - and the hope for a stronger future together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Abortion